Rubio Calls for More Conditions on US Funding to the UN

Sen. Marco Rubio is pushing legislation that would place tougher restrictions on U.S. funding for the United Nations, The Washington Times reports.

The Florida Republican planned to introduce a bill Wednesday to cap the U.S. contribution and make it voluntary. It would also create an inspector general's position to review and track the contributions.

The Washington Times also noted that the bill would withhold funding from any U.N. entity that recognizes the Palestinian Authority as a member state unless it negotiates a peace deal with Israel.

The U.S. is the largest financial supporter of the United Nations. President Barack Obama's 2014 budget calls for $617 million to help finance the world body's general budget and $2.1 billion for its peacekeeping operations. The U.S. share of the U.N. general fund budget usually runs about 22 percent and about 27 percent of peacekeeping funding.

Rubio's measure also blocks funding for activities related to a fact-finding mission that investigated the 2008-2009 war in Gaza, accusing both Hamas and Israel of targeting civilians, a charge that Israel denied.

The bill also bars funds to any U.N. group that works with non-government organizations that accept anti-Semitism.

Rubio's measure surfaced on the same day that the Senate began confirmation hearings on former journalist and White House human rights adviser Samantha Power to become the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.